Interview: Simon Reeve Explores Earth’s Last Great Wildernesses in New Series for BBC Two

Adventurer and presenter Simon Reeve is set to take viewers on an awe-inspiring journey through some of the most remote and untouched landscapes on Earth in his new series, which is airing on Sunday nights on BBC Two and iPlayer. In this landmark four-part series, Reeve will venture further into the unknown than ever before, as he explores the Pacific Ocean’s Coral Triangle, Africa’s Congo Rainforest, the Kalahari Desert, and the mesmerizing Patagonia.

Reeve’s aim is not only to showcase the breathtaking beauty of these wild areas but also to shed light on their importance in preserving the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystem. “We all need a bit of a reminder that it’s still out there, that it’s glorious and vital, and that it’s worth caring about and protecting,” Reeve explained.

In this interview, Reeve shares his insights on the concept of wilderness and the motivation behind this series. When asked about what a wilderness means to him, Reeve replied, “I would define a wilderness as a place where the impact of humanity is low, and where nature still makes the rules. We were looking for areas where nature was still largely in charge.”

Reeve also highlighted the significance of exploring these specific wilderness locations. “The sheer variety of wild landscapes on our planet is mind-blowing and we wanted to get that across to viewers. Each episode is the result of a separate expedition, and the result is four standalone programs, each with a different feel,” he said.

Throughout his journeys, Reeve encountered not only incredible wildlife but also the people who make their homes in these remote areas. “Humans have always lived in wild places, but often they’ve been ignored and their role in protecting and shaping the wilderness forgotten. It was really important we incorporated them and their stories into the programs,” Reeve added.

When asked about the challenges he faced during filming, Reeve didn’t shy away from discussing the physical and logistical difficulties. “Physically, these journeys were really hard and really challenging. I knew they’d be physically tough, so I was running around the wilds of Devon where I live for months beforehand wearing a 15-kilogram weight vest getting into shape,” he shared.

Despite the risks and challenges, Reeve believes that every journey has changed him and helped him to grow as a person. “I’ve stepped out onto the planet with my eyes wide open, with a real willingness to learn. So every journey changes me, and every encounter on these expeditions taught me something and helped show me a totally different side of our world,” he explained.

As for what’s next, Reeve expressed his passion for capturing the infinite stock of stories that our world has to offer. “It’s an amazing, wonderful world out there and despite making programs for nearly two decades and having visited more than 100 countries, on six different continents, I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface,” he said.

Don’t miss Simon Reeve’s new series, where he delves into the last great wildernesses on Earth. Tune in to BBC Two and iPlayer on Sunday nights to embark on this extraordinary journey with him.

Image Credit: Simon Reeve in the Congo (BBC/The Garden/Jonathan Young)